Patient communication device and method

Abstract

A device and method for producing patient appointment reminders for healthcare facilities is provided. The device and method includes receiving one or more sets of information from the healthcare facility including patient data for a patient. The method further includes generating one or more sets of information including appointment information and the like, and combining the sets of information to produce an appointment reminder that is provided to the patient.

1 . A method for reminding patients of their medical appointments at a healthcare facility, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a first set of information from the healthcare facility including patient data for a plurality of patients of the healthcare facility;    generating a second set of information including appointment information;    combining the first and second sets of information to produce a plurality of appointment reminders, wherein the first and second sets of information include at least one of static information that is similar for all patients and at least one of dynamic information that is variable based on predetermined parameters; and    delivering each of the appointment reminders to each respective patient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient data includes a name, mailing address, medical record number for each patient and indicates whether the patient is a new patient or a returning patient.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first set of information is received from the healthcare facility over a virtual private network to provide security.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second set of information includes foreign language information.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second set of information includes maps and other directional information for directing the patient to their appointment, the maps including multiple colors.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the appointment reminder is one of a paper version for mailing to the patient or an electronic version for electronic delivery to the patient.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein producing the electronic version of the appointment reminder includes reformatting the patient data received from the healthcare facility for online presentation.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein during the delivery step, the electronic version of the appointment reminder is available for pick up by the patient at a website of the healthcare facility.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein when the patient data indicates that the patient is a new patient, a medical information form for the patient to complete in advance of their appointment is enclosed along with the appointment reminder.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a brochure relating to a patient's condition or appointment procedure is included along with the appointment reminder.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the appointment reminder includes marketing information or other information promoting affinity programs beneficial to patients, the healthcare facility or other institutions.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a patient identification barcode is included on the appointment reminder to facilitate automatic identification of the patient at check-in at the healthcare facility.  
     
     
         13 . An appointment reminder for use by a healthcare facility comprising: 
 patient data information;    patient medical instructions;    patient medical history questioner; and    medical brochures.    
     
     
         14 . A patient appointment reminder for reminding patients of their medical appointments at a healthcare facility, the patient appointment reminder comprising: 
 patient data information including patient's name and mailing address;    patient medical instructions related to the patient's medical appointment; and any one of marketing information or advertisements.